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‘Tis the Season for Greedy Scammers

Summary The holidays should be focused on celebrations, not scams. Learn how fraudsters target shoppers and charitable giving and how to protect yourself throughout the season.Key Takeaways
  • Holiday shopping scams often create urgency and excitement.
  • Research retailers and charities before sharing payment information.
  • Watch for suspicious deals that seem too good to be true.
  • Protect personal information when shopping online.
Hosting dinner parties. Heading to your in-laws’. Hustling to order those perfect gifts. It’s the season for cheer and goodwill, and unfortunately also a time for scammers to take advantage of our increased spending and high spirits.
This holiday season, stay in the know about these common scams:

Fake Product Scams

Before you click that Facebook ad for a name-brand item at a low price, know that many scammers use social media to promote fake products to steal your personal information.
Go directly to the brand’s website instead of clicking the link. Websites often have their social accounts linked in their website footer.

Travel Scams

A scammer will pose as a tolling agency, sending you a text or email about late toll charges and encouraging you to click a link to pay and avoid fees. 
Even if you’ve recently gone through a tollway, ignore the text and go directly to the tolling agency’s website.

Charity Scams

Scammers tap into your giving spirit with fake charity solicitations. They usually pressure you into donating quickly, asking for cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers.
If you get requests for unusual payment methods like those above, be immediately wary! Check out to find trusted charities verified by the Better Business Bureau or choose a local charity you know in your community.

Package Delivery Scams

Fraudsters even use USPS, FedEx and UPS logos in their scam texts and emails, hoping you’ll follow a link for tracking information or to update your delivery address – all tactics to get you to click a scam link.
Don't click! Instead check tracking directly on your merchant account or the original email from your order.

Romance Scams

Scammers lurk on social media and dating sites, building your trust and then requesting money – usually saying it’s to help them with medical bills and other needs, or even travel costs to visit you.
If you have suspicions about your online connections, stop talking to them right away. Never send money to someone you haven’t physically met in person.

Prize Scams

You’ll get a call, text, email or letter stating you’ve won something super exciting – like a car or vacation. Then fraudsters will ask for personal information in order to “claim” that prize, usually pressuring you to act quickly.
Winning something in a sweepstakes, lottery or contest without even entering is always a reason for caution. And there’s never a valid reason you’d need to provide private banking information to claim your prize.

More Helpful Tips

  • Summit would never ask you to give us your username, password or PIN, so never give out that information.
  • Never click on links in a text, email or social media message asking for personal or banking information.
Also, please note that for your protection, we will not discuss account information with third parties or people who are not on your account – even if you’re on the line with them and give your verbal permission.
If you think you’ve been a victim of a scam or fraud, reach out to us right away at 800-236-5560, or, email us at . Please do not email any private or personal information.Do not email any private or personal information.Thank you for helping keep our members and community informed and protected by reporting scams!

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